Red Sox Ink Mitch Moreland: 2017 Fantasy Fallout
Mitch Moreland is just the latest Red Sox addition, as the team made a flurry of moves today to bolster their team heading into 2017. But, how does the move to Boston effect his fantasy value heading into next season?
Dave Dombrowksi had a busy today for the Red Sox, as he made the move to bring in multiple new pieces to help bolster Boston’s chance at a title in 2017. One of those additions, was the singing of first basemen, Mitch Moreland. Coming off a down season offensively, he did win a Gold Glove this season, how should fantasy owners value him next spring?
Mitch Moreland had a frustrating career for the Rangers. He always seemed right on the cusp of becoming the cornerstone at first base, but injuries and inconsistency, squandered those chances. He is now 31-years-old, and it may be time for fantasy owners to turn the page on his as well.
The Red Sox are seemingly bringing in Moreland to be a part of a platoon at the DH spot, but he will certainly get his fair share of starts at first. With Hanley Ramirez, Chris Young, and Blake Swihart in the fold, Moreland’s playing time starts to get murky. But, Boston did not sign him for no reason.
After a solid, .278/23 HR/85 RBI line in 2015, he could capitalize on his success this season. He tied his career high in games played, but could only post a, .233/22 HR/60 RBI/.720 OPS line. Inconsistency has been the hallmark of his career, so fantasy owners should not be shocked.
When he gets hot though, he is one of the best power threats in the game. He did have an unconscious July, .339/7 HR/12 RBI, but the rest of the season was a struggle. He only had one month where he batted over .253, and he could not even muster one homer in September.
He has never mashed RHP, but his .229 AVG/17 HR, clip against them last season was abysmal even for his standards. He actually found some success versus LHP, .277/5 HR, but that was over only 64 at bats.
His batted ball data is not all that inspiring either. He did have a respectable, 48% Medium, and 37% Hard contact rates, but they were actually down from his career averages. One area that Moreland has to be acknowledged for besides his defense, is his raw power. He ranked in the top-5 of all major leaguers, posting a 416 ft. average distance per home run.
Playing in Texas, that raw power, and his 45% Pull rate, were a perfect fit with the jet stream in right field. However, playing in Boston is a whole new animal. Right center field and center field, are cavernous at Fenway, and Moreland is not known for his opposite field approach. David Ortiz made a living off of being able to pepper the Green Monster, a skill that Moreland may lack.
Mitch Moreland also posted a career high 118 K last season, and his 73% Contact rate was a career low. His chase rate also climbed to a career high, 34%, so there are some clear red flags when it comes to his fantasy value.
I do not want to make it look like Mitch Moreland is a bad player, he is not. The Red Sox do not need him to be David Ortiz’s replacement, they simply need him to be able to handle RHP, and play a quality first base. Two areas that he has shown he can handle. But, he is just not worth a fantasy draft pick anymore.
Mitch Moreland will flirt with the 20 HR mark again in 2017, but fantasy owners looking to fill their CI or Util spot, need to look elsewhere for consistent value.
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